Intraocular electrode

ABSTRACT

This invention is a method and apparatus for implanting retinal tacks and retinal electrode element with spiked electrodes. In one aspect of the invention, a tack suitable for insertion into the retina is driven into the retina by the repeated minute blows from the rapid contractions and expansions of the piezoelectric crystal. In a different aspect of the invention, a retinal electrode element with spiked electrodes suitable for insertion into the retina is driven into the retina by the repeated minute blows from the rapid contractions and expansions of the piezoelectric crystal. In another aspect of the invention, a single, short impulse is used to drive the tack home. In a different aspect of the invention, a single, short impulse is used to drive the retinal electrode element with spiked electrodes home. With this mode of tack and electrode element implanting, a remotely placed driver couples its motion to the tack using a thin, elongated tube filled with a suitable hydraulic fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to implanting retinal tacks using a piezoelectric driver. In another embodiment it relates to implanting a retinal implant with spike-like electrodes, using a piezoelectric driver. It also relates to the use of a remote impulse driver, connected to a tack in a tack-holder, by a hydraulic fluid. In another embodiment it relates to the use of a remote impulse driver, connected to a retinal implant with spike-like electrodes in an implant-holder, by a hydraulic fluid.

[0003] 2. The Prior Art

[0004] An example of a preexisting tool for implanting retinal tacks is Sinnett, U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,138; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,550. Actual laboratory experience with the Sinnett tool found that an apparatus like Sinnett's applied too much force to the retina. Consequently, this tool has a restricted functional ability to tack devices to the back of the eye.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This invention is a method and apparatus for implanting retinal tacks. In one aspect of the invention, a tack suitable for insertion into the retina is driven into the retina by the repeated minute blows from the rapid contractions and expansions of the piezoelectric crystal.

[0006] In another aspect of the invention, a single, short impulse is used to drive the tack home. With this mode of tack driving, a remotely placed driver couples its motion to the tack using an elongated tube filled with a suitable hydraulic fluid.

[0007] Similar method and apparatus is used for implanting a retinal implant having spike-like electrodes. In another aspect of the invention, a retinal implant with spike-like electrodes is driven into the retina (or other suitable tissue which can hold the implant) by the repeated minute blows from the rapid contractions and expansions of the piezoelectric crystal. The spiked electrodes may have a barbed point so as to facilitate their remaining imbedded in the interior wall of the back of the eye.

[0008] In a different aspect of the invention, a single, short impulse is used to drive the retinal implant with spiked-electrodes home. With this mode of driving the spiked-electrode retinal implant, a remotely placed driver couples its motion to the implant using an elongated tube filled with a suitable hydraulic fluid. The spiked electrodes are driven into tissue suitable to hold it in place. The spike electrodes may have a type of barb point on them so as to facilitate their remaining imbedded in the interior wall of the back of the eye. A plurality of spike electrodes may be dummy electrodes in that they function only as mechanical anchors, and do not function as electrodes. Thus, four corner dummy electrodes may anchor the retinal electrode element, which may even have the rest of its electrodes shorter than the dummy electrodes or have the rest of the electrodes as flat electrodes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The above and other features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 shows a retinal tacker that uses an electronically driven piezoelectric crystal;

[0011]FIG. 2 shows a retinal tacker that uses a remote impulse driver connected by a tube filled with hydraulic fluid;

[0012]FIG. 3 shows a retinal implant tacker, for an implant with spiked electrodes, that uses an electronically driven piezoelectric crystal;

[0013]FIG. 4 shows a retinal implant tacker, for an implant with spiked electrodes, which uses a remote impulse driver connected by a tube filled with hydraulic fluid;

[0014]FIG. 5a shows a barb similar to a retinal tack for use with the spiked electrodes;

[0015]FIG. 5b shows a barb similar to a fishhook for use with the spiked electrodes;

[0016]FIG. 6a shows a plurality of dummy non-working electrodes that extend beyond the lengths of the electrodes and anchor the retinal electrode element to the back of the eyeball;

[0017]FIG. 6b shows a plurality of dummy non-working electrodes that extend sufficiently beyond the relevant lengths of the electrodes which are proportioned to the curvature of the retinal and anchor the retinal electrode element to the back of the eyeball.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is merely made for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.

[0019] This invention is a method and apparatus for implanting retinal tacks and into the retina, as well as for doing the same for retinal implants with spike electrodes. FIG. 1 shows a retinal tacker that uses a piezoelectric crystal (3) electrically driven by electrical source (11), which may be a battery. The electrical or electronics unit (1) also contains required resonant elements. The piezoelectric crystal undergoes a constriction-relaxation cycle under the application of an alternating current via wires (2). Thus, the piezoelectric crystal (3) is set into a vibrating motion that is mechanically coupled, by the tack holder (5) to the retinal tack (6).

[0020] A mechanical system, (5) in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, holds a retinal tack (6). The tack is made from titanium or from a similarly sufficiently biologically non-reactive material. The material used must be sufficiently non-reactive with the back of the eyeball (sclera) where the tack is implanted, as well as the retina itself, and the vitreous humor fluid of the eye.

[0021] The tack is inserted into the eye with the holder and placed against the retinal surface. As shown, in FIG. 1, when the tack (6) is touching the retinal surface (9), the electronic drive circuitry (1) is turned on which causes the piezoelectric crystal (3) to vibrate. The vibrating crystal is mechanically coupled to the tack (6) and allows the surgeon to insert the tack (6) into the retina (9) with less force. The vibrations allow the hard tack to enter the soft tissue of the retina instead of pushing it out of the way.

[0022] Advantageously, the vibrations make it easier to insert the tack into the sclera, since the relaxation time of the organic tissues is shorter for breaking and longer for bending. Each vibration imparts a quick cutting effect to the leading point of the tack. Although each vibration is a short movement, the high rate of vibration results in effectively a longer, but individually for each vibration, a quick cutting action. The longer time comprises the sum of the individual forward vibration times and the non-forward part of the vibration stroke.

[0023]FIG. 3 illustrates the piezo-electric driver (FIG. 1) for a retinal tack (FIG. 1, (6)) applied to the retinal implant (20) with spike electrodes (23). In this embodiment the head (21) of a retinal tack (5) is mounted on or near the center of the retinal implant (20). The holder (5) fits the head-of-tack fitting (21) and the operation is similar to driving a single tack. A plurality of arms (22) emanating and anchored to the holder (5) act to steady the implantable electrode element (20). One embodiment of this invention uses four arms (22) to steady the four corners of a rectangular shaped back surface of the electrode element (20). In FIGS. 1,2,3 and 4, the electrode element (20) is shown with a curvature so as to conform to the curvature of the retina (9). However, the large number of spike electrodes (23) can require a larger voltage input into the piezo-electric crystal so as to produce a proportionally larger force (approximately). In another aspect of the invention, a plurality of spike electrodes may be dummy electrodes in that they function only as mechanical anchors, and do not function as electrodes. Thus, four corner dummy electrodes may anchor the retinal electrode element, which may even have the rest of its electrodes shorter than the dummy electrodes or have the rest of the electrodes as flat electrodes.

[0024]FIG. 2 shows a retinal tacker that uses a piston (7) electrically driven by electrical source (11), which may be a battery. In this alternative embodiment, the electronic circuitry (12) is turned on causing a piston (7) to impact hydraulic fluid (10) in a thin tube (8). The sudden impulse of the piston (7) is transmitted to the tack (6) being held in its tack holder (5). This sudden impulse drives the tack (6) into the retinal wall (9). Advantageously, the sudden impulse is such that a large amount of force is transmitted in a very short time. Consequently the tack is forced into the desired organic tissue and does not just push it back or bend it.

[0025]FIG. 4 illustrates the hydraulic driver (FIG. 2) for a retinal tack (FIG. 2, (6)) applied to the retinal implant (20) with spike electrodes (23). In this embodiment the head (21) of a retinal tack (FIG. 2, (6)) is mounted on or near the center of the retinal implant (20). The holder (5) fits the head-of-tack fitting (21) and the operation is similar to driving a single tack (FIG. 2, (6)). However, the large number of spike electrodes (23) can require either a larger voltage input into the piston driving circuitry or a larger fluid driving piston so as to produce an approximate proportionally larger force. A plurality of arms (22) emanating and anchored to the holder (5) act to steady the implantable electrode element (20). One embodiment of this invention uses four arms (22) to steady the four corners of a rectangular shaped back surface of the electrode element (20). In FIGS. 1,2,3 and 4, the electrode element (20) is shown with a curvature so as to conform to the curvature of the retina (9).

[0026] Two types of barbs for the retinal element's spike electrodes are shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5a shows a barb (51) similar to a retinal tack. The tack-type barb (51) is formed as part of the spike electrode (52). FIG. 5b shows a barb (53) similar to a fishhook barb. The fishhook-type barb (53) is formed as part of the retinal element's spike electrodes (52). The barb help the electrode stay anchored in the tissue in which it has been driven by one of the embodiments of this retinal tacker invention. A plurality of spike electrodes may be dummy electrodes in that they function only as mechanical anchors (FIG. 6a and b), and do not function as electrodes. Thus (FIG. 6a), four corner dummy electrodes (611) may anchor the retinal electrode element (20), which may even have the rest of its electrodes (612) shorter than the dummy electrodes (611) or have the rest of the electrodes (FIG. 6b) as retina matching curved envelope electrodes (613). The head-of-tack fitting (21) is also shown with the retina (9).

[0027] The retinal tack or the spike electrode with its barb may attach a retinal electrode element in an epiretinal or subretinal position. It may attach other items and the retina as well as a retinal electrode element or other eye implantable element to the back of the interior of the eyeball, in any order, impaled on the tack or the barbed spike electrode, dummy or real. The practical limitation is placed by the length of the tack or barbed spike electrode, real or dummy and by the holding power of the imbedded tack or barbed spike electrode, real or dummy.

[0028] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for implanting a retinal tack comprising the steps: a. holding the retinal tack; b. applying a vibrating forward and back motion to the retinal tack; c. forcing the tack into the retina and other materials to be secured and into the back of the eyeball; d. forcing the tack into the back of the eyeball.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of originating the vibrating back and forth motion with a piezoelectric crystal.
 3. A method for implanting a retinal tack comprising the steps: a. holding the retinal tack; b. applying a sudden force to the tack; c. forcing the tack into the retina and other materials to be secured and into the back of the eyeball, in any order; d. forcing the tack into the back of the eyeball.
 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of originating the sudden force from a driven piston.
 5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of imparting the piston's force directly to the tack.
 6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of imparting the piston's force indirectly to the tack using a hydraulic fluid contained within a thin tube.
 7. An apparatus for implanting a retinal tack comprising: a. means for holding the retinal tack; b. means to vibrate the tack in a forward and back direction; c. means to force the tack into the retina and other material to be secured and into the interior back surface of the eyeball, in any order; d. forcing the tack into the back of the eyeball.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a piezoelectric crystal as a source of vibrating forward and back motion.
 9. An apparatus for implanting a retinal tack comprising: a. means for holding tack; b. means for applying a sudden force to the tack; c. means for forcing the tack into the retina and other materials to be secured to the interior back surface of the eyeball, in any order; d. forcing the tack into the back of the eyeball.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a driven piston that supplies the sudden force to the tack.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising the direct transfer of the piston's sudden force to the tack.
 12. The apparatus as in claim 9 further comprising the indirect transfer of the piston's sudden force using hydraulic fluid means.
 13. A method for securing a retinal electrode element to the back of the eyeball comprising the steps: a. holding and steadying the retinal electrode element; b. applying a vibrating forward and back motion to the retinal electrode element; c. forcing the electrode element's spike electrodes, real or dummy and into materials to be secured to the back of the eyeball and into the retina, in any order; d. forcing the electrode element's spike electrodes, real or dummy, into the back of the eyeball.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of originating the vibrating back and forth motion with a piezoelectric crystal.
 15. A method for securing a retinal electrode element to the back of the eyeball comprising the steps: a. holding and steadying the retinal electrode element; b. applying a sudden force to the retinal electrode element; c. forcing the electrode element's spike electrodes, real or dummy, into the retina and other materials to be secured to the back of the eyeball, in any order; d. forcing the electrode element's spike electrodes, real or dummy, into the back of the eyeball.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of originating the sudden force from a driven piston.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of imparting the piston's force directly to the retinal electrode element.
 18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of imparting the piston's force indirectly to the retinal electrode element using a hydraulic fluid contained within a thin tube.
 19. An apparatus for securing a retinal electrode element to the back of the eyeball comprising: a. means for holding and steadying the retinal electrode element; b. means to vibrate the retinal electrode element in a forward and back direction; c. means to force the retinal electrode element's spike electrodes, real or dummy into the retina and into other material that is to be secured to the interior back surface of the eyeball, in any order; d. means to force the retinal electrode element's spike electrodes, real or dummy, into the back of the eyeball.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a piezoelectric crystal as a source of vibrating forward and back motion.
 21. An apparatus for securing a retinal electrode element to the back of the eyeball comprising: a. means for holding and steadying the retinal electrode element; b. means for applying a sudden force to the retinal electrode element; c. means for forcing the forcing the retinal electrode element's spike electrodes, real or dummy, into the retina and into other materials that are to be secured to the interior back surface of the eyeball, in any order; d. forcing the retinal electrode element's spike electrodes, real or dummy, into the back of the eyeball.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a driven piston that supplies the sudden force to the retinal electrode element.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising the direct transfer of the piston's sudden force to the retinal electrode element.
 24. The apparatus as in claim 21 further comprising the indirect transfer of the piston's sudden force using hydraulic fluid means.
 25. An apparatus comprising a barb means formed as part of the elongated spike electrode of the retinal electrode element so as to keep the electrode from pulling out of the living tissue in which it is implanted.
 26. A method comprising the step of forming a barb on a plurality of the elongated spike electrodes of the retinal electrode element so that the electrode will tend to not pull out of the living tissue in which it is embedded.
 27. An apparatus comprising a barb means formed as part of the elongated spike dummy non-working electrode to keep the dummy, non-working electrode from pulling out of the living tissue in which it is implanted.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a plurality of dummy non-working electrodes that extend beyond the lengths of the electrodes and anchor the retinal electrode element to the back of the eyeball.
 29. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a plurality of dummy non-working electrodes that extend sufficiently beyond the relevant lengths of the electrodes which are proportioned to the curvature of the retinal and anchor the retinal electrode element to the back of the eyeball.
 30. An method comprising the step of forming a barb means as part of the elongated spiked dummy non-working electrode in order to keep the dummy, non-working electrode from pulling out of the living tissue in which it is implanted.
 31. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of forming a plurality of dummy non-working electrodes that extend beyond the lengths of the electrodes in order to anchor the retinal electrode element to the back of the eyeball.
 32. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of forming a plurality of dummy non-working electrodes that extend sufficiently beyond the relevant lengths of the electrodes which are proportioned to the curvature of the retinal so as to anchor the retinal electrode element to the back of the eyeball. 